After the Crash: What You Need to Know About Spine Injuries and Auto Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of acute spine injuries in the United States. Each year, millions of Americans experience neck or back pain following a collision. Navigating the medical, legal, and insurance landscape after an accident can be confusing and stressful. This post provides a factual overview of what typically […]
Summer Sports and Your Spine: What Pickleball, Golf, and Swimming Can Do to Your Back
Warm-weather sports such as pickleball, golf, and swimming can support spine health when played wisely, but each activity also carries specific back-injury risks.
What causes disc herniations and how can I prevent it?
What causes disc herniations and how can I prevent it? In our spine practice, I am often the first person to talk with patients about their orthopaedic and spine problems during the course of their visit. Through our educational website and during consultations, Dr. Shim has presented a wealth of information on how we manage […]
When is Spine Pain an Emergency?
So often we hear from people who are upset with Emergency Rooms because they feel their neck or back pain was not treated with the seriousness it deserved. A traumatic event such as a bad fall or a serious car accident with any sign of severe pain, or abnormal neurological signs such as paralysis, should […]
Questions for the Spine Surgeon
Have you been told you need Spinal Surgery? If possible, it is always wise to get a second opinion. But wait! Do your homework first. This is what I would do before seeing a spine surgeon for a second opinion…. 1. Go with a trusted friend or family member. Two sets of ears and two […]
How Come my Doctor did not order an X-Ray?
That is a question often asked of me and my staff. The better question is “Why should you get an X-ray for back pain?” The answer to that question is “It depends.” I know. you want a better answer. But, there is a logic to the response. The most important determining factor on the need […]
Are you carrying an extra “backpack”?
Weight loss is a difficult thing to discuss. As a physician, I am always worried that somehow, the patient will be offended by this discussion. If I talk to some of my Primary Care colleagues, some have stopped bringing this topic up, as some patients have gotten upset enough to “fire” them, or even worse, […]
10 Causes of Back Pain
If you live long enough, you will eventually experience back pain. Depending on the source, up to 80% of the population will experience a back pain episode that will cause at least temporary disability. Luckily, most will recover, and will get on with their life. There are many potential causes of back pain. 1. […]
Back Pain Again?
We do not have time for Back Pain. But, unfortunately, there is a good chance we will all experience back pain sometime in our lives. The good news is that most episodes of back pain are not serious and resolve over time. But, physicians are always on the lookout for more serious causes of back […]
Video gaming, Virtual Reality, and Back Pain
Video gaming, Virtual Reality, and Back Pain Several years ago, The Entertainment Software Association published data on the video game industry. At that time, the industry generated over $25 billion in annual revenues in which more than 70% of American households admitted to playing computer or video games. One would think that the average age […]
